Exercise accessory

ABSTRACT

An exercise accessory includes a first sock; and a second sock attached to the first sock. A method for binding a foot of a first user with a foot of a second user includes inserting the foot of the first user into a first sock of an exercise accessory; and inserting the foot of the second user into a second sock of the exercise accessory, the first sock attached to the second sock.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application62/635,579, filed on Feb. 27, 2018, which is hereby incorporated in itsentirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to exercise accessories. More specifically, thisdisclosure relates to socks for use as an exercise accessory.

BACKGROUND

Exercise equipment, particularly resistance training equipment, is oftenheavy, bulky, expensive, and difficult or impossible to transport, suchas when travelling. Most commonly available exercise equipment is onlyintended to be used by a single user and cannot be used simultaneouslywith another user, such as a workout partner.

SUMMARY

It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview ofthe disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it isintended to neither identify key or critical elements of the disclosurenor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is toexplain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as anintroduction to the following complete and extensive detaileddescription.

Disclosed is an exercise accessory comprising a first sock; a secondsock; and an attachment mechanism which attaches the first sock to thesecond sock.

Also disclosed is a method for binding a foot of a first user with afoot of a second user, the method comprising inserting the foot of thefirst user into a first sock of an exercise accessory; and inserting thefoot of the second user into a second sock of the exercise accessory,the first sock attached to the second sock by an attachment mechanism.

Various implementations described in the present disclosure may includeadditional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may notnecessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detaileddescription and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all suchsystems, methods, features, and advantages be included within thepresent disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims. Thefeatures and advantages of such implementations may be realized andobtained by means of the systems, methods, features particularly pointedout in the appended claims. These and other features will become morefully apparent from the following description and appended claims, ormay be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations as setforth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and components of the following figures are illustrated toemphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. The drawingsare not necessarily drawn to scale. Corresponding features andcomponents throughout the figures may be designated by matchingreference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exercise accessory comprising a first sock,a second sock, and an attachment mechanism in accordance with one aspectof the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a rear detail view of the exercise accessory of FIG. 1 facinga first heel of the first sock, a second heel of the second sock, andthe attachment mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of another aspect of the exercise accessory inan unfolded configuration in accordance with another aspect of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the exercise accessory of FIG. 3 in the unfoldedconfiguration.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the exercise accessory of FIG. 3 in a foldedconfiguration.

FIG. 6 is a top view of another aspect of the exercise accessory inaccordance with another aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of two users demonstrating a method of usefor the exercise accessory of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a side view of another aspect of the exercise accessory inaccordance with another aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the exercise accessory of FIG. 8 worn bythe first user and the second user in an unfolded configuration.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the exercise accessory of FIG. 8 wornby the first user and the second user in a folded configuration.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the exercise accessory of FIG. 3 worn by thefirst user and the second user in the unfolded configuration.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another aspect for the exerciseaccessory 100 in accordance with another aspect of the presentdisclosure

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference tothe following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, andthe previous and following description. However, before the presentdevices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is tobe understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specificdevices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified,and, as such, can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that theterminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularaspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of thepresent devices, systems, and/or methods in its best, currently knownaspect. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognizeand appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects ofthe present devices, systems, and/or methods described herein, whilestill obtaining the beneficial results of the present disclosure. Itwill also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the presentdisclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the features of thepresent disclosure without utilizing other features. Accordingly, thosewho work in the art will recognize that many modifications andadaptations to the present disclosure are possible and can even bedesirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the presentdisclosure. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrativeof the principles of the present disclosure and not in limitationthereof.

As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” includeplural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus,for example, reference to “an element” can include two or more suchelements unless the context indicates otherwise.

Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value,and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range isexpressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/orto the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed asapproximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understoodthat the particular value forms another aspect. It will be furtherunderstood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant bothin relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the otherendpoint.

For purposes of the current disclosure, a material property or dimensionmeasuring about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scalemeasures within a range between X plus an industry-standard uppertolerance for the specified measurement and X minus an industry-standardlower tolerance for the specified measurement. Because tolerances canvary between different materials, processes and between differentmodels, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particularcomponent can fall within a range of tolerances.

As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that thesubsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, andthat the description includes instances where said event or circumstanceoccurs and instances where it does not.

The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular listand also includes any combination of members of that list. Further, oneshould note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intendedto convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do notinclude, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditionallanguage is not generally intended to imply that features, elementsand/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular aspectsor that one or more particular aspects necessarily include logic fordeciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether thesefeatures, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed inany particular aspect.

Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosedmethods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein,and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions,groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specificreference of each various individual and collective combinations andpermutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each isspecifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods andsystems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, butnot limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a varietyof additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each ofthese additional steps can be performed with any specific aspect orcombination of aspects of the disclosed methods.

Disclosed is an exercise accessory and associated methods, systems,devices, and various apparatus. The exercise accessory can comprise afirst sock, a second sock, and an attachment mechanism. It would beunderstood by one of skill in the art that the disclosed wide rangecoupling is described in but a few exemplary embodiments among many. Noparticular terminology or description should be considered limiting onthe disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exercise accessory 100 comprising a firstsock 110 a, a second sock 110 b, and an attachment mechanism 102 inaccordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. Each sock 110 a,bcan respectively define an ankle portion 112 a,b and a foot portion 114a,b. In the present aspect, the socks 110 a,b can be crew socks, and theankle portions 112 a,b can extend significantly upwards from the footportions 114 a,b. In other aspects, the ankle portions 112 a,b can beshorter than shown, such as for ankle socks, or longer than shown, suchas for knee socks. The height of the ankle portions 112 a,b of therespective socks 110 a,b should not be considered limiting. In otheraspects, the ankle portions 112 a,b can be of different heights, such asin an aspect in which the first sock 110 a is an ankle sock and thesecond sock 110 b is a crew sock, for example and without limitation.Each ankle portion 112 a,b can define an ankle top 116 a,b disposedopposite from a sole 118 a,b of the respective sock 110 a,b, and eachankle top 116 a,b can define an ankle opening 128 a,b to a respectivesock cavity 130 a,b defined by the respective sock 110 a,b. The sockcavities 130 a,b can each be configured to receive a different foot of asingle user or each sock cavity 130 a,b can receive a single foot from adifferent user.

The foot portion 114 a,b of each sock 110 a,b can respectively define aheel 120 a,b disposed proximate to an intersection of the ankle portion112 a,b and the sole 118 a,b of each respective sock 110 a,b. The footportion 114 a,b of each sock 110 a,b can further define a toe 122 a,bdisposed opposite from the heel 120 a,b of the respective sock 110 a,band away from the respective ankle portion 112 a,b. In the presentaspect, each sock 110 a,b can be a capped sock defining a cap seam 124a,b disposed between the toe 122 a,b and the heel 120 a,b of eachrespective sock 110 a,b. In the present aspect, the cap seam 124 a,b canapproximately align with a ball of a user's foot. In other aspects, thesocks 110 a,b may not define the cap seams 124 a,b and can be formedthrough a different construction, such as with a seam at the toe 122a,b.

The first sock 110 a can be attached to the second sock 110 b by anattachment mechanism 102. In the present aspect, the attachmentmechanism 102 can be a stitched seam 103; however in other aspects, theattachment mechanism 102 can be a different type of attachment, such asbuttons-and-holes attachments, hook-and-loop strips, snaps, zippers,buttoned straps, or any other type of suitable attachment mechanism. Inthe present aspect, the stitched seam 103 can attach the respectivesoles 118 a,b together in facing contact. A heel portion 106 of thestitched seam 103 can attach the respective heels 120 a,b together. Afirst side portion 104 of the stitched seam 103 can attach therespective socks 110 a,b together at an intersection of the first side126 a,b and the soles 118 a,b of each respective sock 110 a,b. In thepresent aspect, the first side portion 104 of the stitched seam 103 canextend from the heel 120 a,b of each sock 110 a,b to the cap seam 124a,b. This configuration can leave the toes 122 a,b of the respectivesocks 110 a,b free to move independent of one another. In other aspects,the first side portion 104 of the stitched seam 103 can extend from theheel 120 a,b to the toe 122 a,b of each respective sock 110 a,b in orderto secure the toes 122 a,b to one another. In other aspects, the firstside portion 104 may not extend completely to the heels 120 a,b of therespective socks 110 a,b which can permit limited motion between theheels 120 a,b.

As shown in FIG. 2, a second side portion 204 of the stitched seam 103can attach a second side 226 a,b of each sock 110 a,b together proximateto an intersection of the second side 226 a,b with the sole 118 a,b ofeach respective sock 110 a,b. FIG. 2 is a detailed rear view of theexercise accessory 100 of FIG. 1 facing the heels 120 a,b of the socks110 a,b, respectively.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of another aspect of the exercise accessory 100in an unfolded configuration in accordance with another aspect of thepresent disclosure, and FIG. 4 is a top view of the aspect of theexercise accessory 100 of FIG. 3 in the unfolded configuration. As shownin FIG. 3, the stitched seam 103 does not connect the respective secondsides 226 a,b or the respective heels 120 a,b of the socks 110 a,b. Thestitched seam 103 comprises the first side portion 104 connecting therespective first sides 126 a,b together. In this configuration, thesocks 110 a,b can rotate relative to one another about the first sideportion 104 of the stitched seam 103 so that the soles 118 a,b can beseparated from one another and positioned side-by-side with one anotherin the unfolded configuration shown. In the present configuration, auser can insert each of his feet into a different one of the socks 110a,b, and the attachment mechanism 102, the stitched seam 103, can holdthe socks 110 a,b together which can be desirable for exercises focusingon balance or agility in which the user may hop with his or her feettogether. Alternatively, a first user can insert his right foot into thefirst sock 110 a, and a second user can insert his left foot into thesecond sock 110 b to engage in partner exercises, such as a “threelegged race,” for example and without limitation.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the exercise accessory 100 in a foldedconfiguration in which the soles 118 a,b of the respective socks 110 a,bare in facing contact with one another. The exercise accessory 100 canbe selectively positioned about and between the folded configuration andthe unfolded configuration by rotating the socks 110 a,b relative to oneanother about the first side portion 104 of the stitched seam 103.Optionally, in some aspects, the first side portion 104 may not attachthe heels 120 a,b of the respective socks 110 a,b together as shown.

FIG. 6 is a top view of another aspect of the exercise accessory 100 inaccordance with another aspect of the present disclosure. The exerciseaccessory 100 is shown in the unfolded configuration in which the soles118 a,b (shown in FIG. 3) are folded apart from one another about thestitched seam 103 and are positioned side-by-side with one another oneither side of the stitched seam 103. In the present aspect, a toeportion 603 of the stitched seam 103 can attach the toes 122 a,b of therespective socks 110 a,b together while the first sides 126 a,b, thesecond sides 226 a,b, and the heels 120 a,b (shown in FIG. 3) of therespective socks 110 a,b are separate from one another and unbound. Thisaspect can be utilized to bind the feet of two separate users togetherwhich can be desirable, such as for practicing partner dancing or otheractivities. Binding the users' feet can help the two users tosynchronize their movements during practice.

FIG. 7 demonstrates another method for using the exercise accessories100. The method shown in FIG. 7 can be compatible with at least each ofthe aspects of the exercise accessory 100 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3, andFIG. 6 by positioning the exercise accessory 100 in the foldedconfiguration in which the soles 118 a,b (shown in FIG. 3) arepositioned in facing contact with one another. FIG. 7 demonstrates apartner exercise method in which a first user 700 a and a second user700 b can attach their feet 702 a-d together with a first exerciseaccessory 100 a and a second exercise accessory 100 b to engage inpartnered movements.

Specifically, a right foot 702 a of the first user 700 a can wear thefirst sock 110 a of the first exercise accessory 100 a which can bebound to the second sock 110 b of the first exercise accessory 100 awhich can be worn on a left foot 702 c of the second user 700 b as shownin the foreground. A left foot 702 b of the first user 700 a can wearthe first sock 110 a of the second exercise accessory 100 b which can bebound to the second sock 110 b of the second exercise accessory 100 bwhich can be worn on the right food 702 d of the second user 700 b asshown in the background. With the right foot 702 a of the first user 700a bound to the left foot 702 c of the second user 700 b and the leftfoot 702 b of the first user 700 a bound to the right food 702 d of thesecond user 700 b, the users 700 a,b can engage in coordinated movementstogether. For example and without limitation, the users 700 a,b canengage in pedaling motions, such as a bicycle pedaling motion, and theusers 700 a,b can provide resistance to one another to strengthen theleg muscles of the respective users 700 a,b. The exercise accessories100 a,b can stabilize the users' paired feet 702 a,c and 702 b,d toprevent them from slipping off one another while the users 700 a,b exertresistance against each other. The exercise accessories 100 a,b can alsobe used for other partner exercise techniques or gymnastic techniquessuch as if first user 700 a stands on the feet 702 c,d of the seconduser 700 b while the second user 700 b lies on his back, for example andwithout limitation. These methods allow the users 700 a,b to engage inresistance training with minimal equipment and without the need forheavy weights or large machines.

FIG. 8 is a side view of another aspect of the exercise accessory 100 inaccordance with another aspect of the present disclosure. In the presentaspect, the first side 126 a of the first sock 110 a can be attached tothe second side 226 b of the second sock 110 b by the attachmentmechanism 102 so that the toe 122 a of the first sock 110 a can bealigned with the heel 120 b of the second sock 110 b, and the heel 120 aof the first sock 110 a can be aligned with the toe 122 b of the secondsock 110 b. For example and without limitation, this aspect can bedesirable for practicing dancing, wrestling, boxing, or any otherendeavor in which one participant may align his or her lead foot withthe lead foot of another participant while the participants face oneanother, as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the exercise accessory 100 of FIG. 8worn by the first user 700 a and the second user 700 b. The first sock110 a can be rotated relative to the second sock 110 b about theattachment mechanism 102 between an unfolded configuration, as shown,and a folded position as shown in FIG. 10. In the unfoldedconfiguration, the soles 118 a,b (shown in FIG. 10) of the respectivesocks 110 a,b can be folded apart from one another about the attachmentmechanism 102, or stitched seam 103, so that the soles 118 a,b can bepositioned side-by-side with one another. In the unfolded configurationshown in FIG. 10, the socks 110 a,b can be folded towards one anotherabout the attachment mechanism 102 (shown in FIG. 9), and the soles 118a,b of the respective socks 110 a,b can be positioned in facing contactwith one another. In other aspects, the attachment mechanism 102 cansecure the socks 110 a,b in the folded position.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the exercise accessory 100 of FIG. 3 worn bythe first user 700 a and the second user 700 b in the unfoldedconfiguration. Alternatively, the exercise accessory 100 can be worn ona left foot and a right foot of a single user.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another aspect of the exerciseaccessory 100 in accordance with another aspect of the presentdisclosure. In the present aspect, the attachment mechanism 102, such asthe stitched seam 103, can attach the heel 120 a of the first sock 110 ato the heel 120 b of the second sock 110 b.

In other aspects, the exercise accessory 100 can comprise straps withhook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, zippers, or any other suitablefastening mechanism. In such applications, the straps can be used tobind or tether a single user's two feet together or to bind together twofeet of different users. In aspects of the exercise accessory 100comprising the straps, the exercise accessory 100 may or may notcomprise the socks 110 a,b as shown in FIG. 1. In some aspects, thestraps can be utilized with a user's own socks, and in some aspects, thestraps can be utilized without socks.

One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intendedto convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments donot include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, suchconditional language is not generally intended to imply that features,elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particularembodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarilyinclude logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting,whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to beperformed in any particular embodiment.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any processdescriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood asrepresenting modules, segments, or portions of code which include one ormore executable instructions for implementing specific logical functionsor steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included inwhich functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executedout of order from that shown or discussed, including substantiallyconcurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionalityinvolved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the artof the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be madeto the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantiallyfrom the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, thescope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and allcombinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspectsdiscussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended tobe included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and allpossible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements orsteps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.

That which is claimed is:
 1. An exercise accessory comprising: a firstsock; and a second sock attached to the first sock.
 2. The exerciseaccessory of claim 1, wherein the first sock is attached to the secondsock by an attachment mechanism.
 3. The exercise accessory of claim 2,wherein the attachment mechanism is a stitched seam.
 4. The exerciseaccessory of claim 1, wherein a first side of the first sock is attachedto a first side of the second sock.
 5. The exercise accessory of claim4, wherein: the first sock is configured to rotate relative to thesecond sock about an attachment mechanism between a folded configurationand an unfolded configuration; a sole of the first sock is positioned infacing contact with a sole of the second sock in the foldedconfiguration; and the sole of the first sock is positioned side-by-sidewith the sole of the second sock in the unfolded configuration.
 6. Theexercise accessory of claim 4, wherein: a second side of the first sockis attached to a second side of the second sock; and a sole of the firstsock is secured in facing contact with a sole of the second sock.
 7. Theexercise accessory of claim 4, wherein a toe of the first sock isaligned with a toe of the second sock.
 8. The exercise accessory ofclaim 4, wherein a heel of the first sock is attached to a heel of thesecond sock.
 9. The exercise accessory of claim 1, wherein a toe of thefirst sock is attached to a toe of the second sock.
 10. The exerciseaccessory of claim 1, wherein: a first side of the first sock isattached to a second side of the second sock; and a toe of the firstsock is aligned with a heel of the second sock.
 11. The exerciseaccessory of claim 1, wherein a heel of the first sock is attached to aheel of the second sock.
 12. A method for binding a foot of a first userwith a foot of a second user, the method comprising: inserting the footof the first user into a first sock of an exercise accessory; andinserting the foot of the second user into a second sock of the exerciseaccessory, the first sock attached to the second sock.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, further comprising positioning a sole of the first sock infacing contact with a sole of the second sock.
 14. The method of claim12, further comprising rotating the first sock relative to the secondsock about an attachment mechanism, the attachment mechanism attachingthe first sock to the second sock.
 15. The method of claim 14, whereinthe attachment mechanism is a stitched seam.
 16. The method of claim 12,further comprising moving the foot of the first user in coordinatedmotion with the foot of the second user.
 17. The method of claim 12,wherein a first side of the first sock is attached to a first side ofthe second sock.
 18. The method of claim 12, wherein a toe of the firstsock is attached to a toe of the second sock.
 19. The method of claim12, wherein a toe of the first sock is aligned with a heel of the secondsock.
 20. The method of claim 12, wherein a heel of the first sock isattached to a heel of the second sock.